Home | Business | Home Based Business
ATM bank cash machines have become part our way of life. They offer convenience to those on the run, but at the same time have an element of risk. Using a automated teller safely requires awareness and a little planning. Just because a bank ATM machine is open and available 24-hours a day doesn't mean it is always safe to use it. ATM Crime Considerations Many ATM crimes occur at night between 7pm and midnight when the machine only produces a fraction of the daily transactions. Between 7pm and 4am, the ATMs handle only 11% of the total daily customers but suffer the majority of the crime. Who Are the Crooks? Bank ATM thieves are generally males under 25 years of age and many of them work alone. ATM thieves usually hide themselves nearby and wait for a victim to approach and take out money. Many ATM theft victims are women and many are alone when robbed. Most claim that they never saw the suspect coming. Most ATM crooks used a gun or claimed to have a hidden weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their money. Pick a Secure Location Use only ATM machines in well-lighted, high-visibility areas. ATMs inside busy stores are considered safe. Don't use ATMs that are remote or hidden such as being located behind buildings, behind pillars, dark lobbies, or out of public view. Beware of obvious hiding spots like shrubs or overgrown areas. ATM thieves like to have the element of surprise and want no witnesses. Robbers like easy escape routes like nearby freeway on-ramps or high speed thoroughfares. Get a list of ATM locations from your bank and keep it in your car. Pick an ATM that looks and seems safer, even if it is a couple of miles out of the way. Don't use ATMs at night. Take someone with you after hours, if you can. When you drive up to an ATM location, scan the area for any suspicious persons. If you see anyone suspicious that is standing nearby or sitting by themselves in a car, drive away. When you approach an ATM on foot be prepared and have your ATM card ready. Memorize your personal PIN number to prevent loss and speed the transaction. After inserting your card and your PIN number keep an eye out behind you. Never accept an offer to help or request for help from a suspicious person while at the ATM. Be Alert If anybody suspicious or looking dangerous approaches terminate your transaction and leave immediately. Tell the suspicious person in a loud, firm voice to "back-off" and leave you alone. This is designed to startle the person and give you time to flee. It is much easier to apologize later or suffer a little embarrassment for your fear than to become a robbery statistic. When you receive cash from the machine put it away immediately, extract your card, and walk away. If you use your auto at a bank drive-thru ATM machine the same rules apply. Be sure there are no obvious hiding spots or suspicious persons watching nearby. If there are, listen to your gut instinct and drive away. Keep your doors locked and the car in gear, with your foot firmly on the brake, while using the ATM machine. Keep a close eye on your rear and side view mirrors during the transaction. Thieves almost always approach from the rear on the drivers’ side. If you notice anyone approaching, drive off even if it means leaving your ATM card behind. If you are confronted by an armed thief, just offer up your cash without argument. The money is not worth serious harm or death. Go to a safe place and phone the police immediately.
Article Source: http://www.rightarticle.com
Keep out Of Danger with Our Security Products! www.SecuritySafeySpy.com Spy Cameras and Spy Equipment
Please Rate this Article
5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
